Using Technology to Teach Information Literacy.

Using Technology to Teach Information Literacy. Using Technology to Teach Information Literacy Several conceptions and definitions of information literacy have become prevalent. For example, one conception defines information literacy in terms of a set of competencies that an informed citizen of an information society ought to possess to participate intelligently and ED. BY THOMAS P. MACKEY AND TRUDI E. JACOBSON New York New York, state, United StatesNew York,Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of : Neal-Schuman Publishers, 2008. 175 pp. A$150.00 softcover ISBN ISBNabbr.International Standard Book NumberISBNInternational Standard Book NumberISBNn abbr (= International Standard Book Number) → ISBN m 9781555706371 (available from Inbooks) With the continuing expansion of the invisible Web and newinformation sources being created using Web 2.0 tools, the need forinformation literacy skills has become even more vital. Although theseskills have been taught for many years in tertiary institutions, withthe ever-changing face of current technology there is a need to reassesshow and which skills should be taught. Mackey and Jacobson bring together eight distinct academic levelexperiences in using technology to teach information literacy, asoutlined by staff involved in the project, whether librarian or facultymember (and often both). Each case study examines a different aspect ofteaching information literacy skills, which in these instances aretaught alongside technology and research skills, the aim being to ensurethat students have the skills needed, so that they are able to get themost out of their learning. The book is divided into three parts, each examining projects witha different emphasis. Part 1 explores how universities are using thecollaborative Web to teach information literacy. The projects includedeveloping blog and wiki A Web site that can be quickly edited by its visitors with simple formatting rules. Developed by Ward Cunningham in the mid-1990s to provide collaborative discussions, there are several "wiki" tools on the market for creating such sites, including www.editme.com, www.seedwiki.com, www. communities, Web-based video streaming andbuilding a digital library. Part 2 investigates information literacythrough content management systems and includes projects involvingfaculty partnerships, research workshops and collaborative media. Part 3covers assessment and provides an online assessment tool and an approachto ESL (1) An earlier family of client/server development tools for Windows and OS/2 from Ardent Software (formerly VMARK). It was originally developed by Easel Corporation, which was acquired by VMARK. course design. Each report is written by the staff responsible for the project andincludes a literature review, background, context, the details of theproject itself, results of any assessment and future directions. Thecase studies are well illustrated with relevant figures and appendices. Web 2.0 tools are now much more commonplace and accepted; contentmanagement systems are standard on all campuses, and assessment is anecessary part of any project. This being the case, Mackey andJacobson's book brings together many practical examples of howacademic libraries are using these tools and techniques to ensure thattheir students are taught the skills required to make best use of thehigh quality information available, if only it can be found. Theexperience and knowledge shared by the various authors will beinvaluable to any academic librarian involved in online delivery ofcontent and services and to those involved in teaching informationliteracy. Michelle McLean Casey-Cardinia Library Corporation